de-identification

De-identification is the process of removing or modifying personal information in data so that individuals cannot be identified. This involves removing identifiers like names, addresses, or social security numbers, and sometimes altering data slightly to prevent re-identification. The goal is to share or analyze data—such as for research or reporting—without compromising people's privacy. Proper de-identification helps protect individuals' confidentiality while still allowing valuable insights to be gained from the data.